Method and apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees including support means operably positionable adjacent to a fruit tree. The apparatus comprises support means including a first arcuate platform and a second arcuate platform which may be operably combined to form a generally semicircular platform for at least partially surrounding the periphery of a fruit tree. A conveyor is connected at one end thereof to the support means and is operably positionable at the other end thereof adjacent to the base of the fruit tree at a horizontal elevation less than that of the first and second arcuate platforms. A collection means is operably extendible between the arcuate platforms and the other end of the conveyor positionable adjacent the base of the fruit tree whereby fruit dropped into the collection means may be funneled by gravity into the other end of the conveyor for delivery away from the fruit tree. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees comprising the steps of positioning a support adjacent to a fruit tree, extending a conveyor from the support to the base of the fruit tree and deploying collection means between the inner periphery of the support and the end of the conveyor adjacent the fruit tree.

United States Patent [191 Van Schoyck Dec. 4, 1973 METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR FACILITATING THE HARVESTING OF FRUIT FROM FRUIT TREES [7 51Inventor: Quentin H. Van Schoyck, Christmas,

' Fla.

[73] Assignee: Cylpik Incorporated, Winter Park,

Fla.

22 Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 21 Appl.No.:,321,013

[52] US. Cl... 56/329, 56/DlG. 2, 182/68 3,347,032 10/1967 Pool et a]56/329 Primary Examiner Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerJ. N.Eskovitz Attorney-Bradford E. Kile [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees including supportmeans operably positionable adjacent to a fruit tree. The apparatuscomprises support means including a first arcuate platform and-a secondarcuate platform which may be operably combined to form a generallysemicircular platform for at least partially surrounding the peripheryof a fruit tree. A conveyor is connected at one end thereof to thesupport means and is operably positionable at the other end thereofadjacent to the base of the fruit tree at a horizontal elevation lessthan that of the first and second arcuate platforms. A collection meansis operably extendible between the arcuate platforms and the other endof the conveyor positionable adjacent the base of the fruit tree wherebyfruit dropped into the collection means may be funneled by gravity intothe other end of the conveyor for delivery away from the fruit tree.

A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treescomprising the steps of positioning a support adjacent to a fruit tree,extending a conveyor from the support to the base of the fruit tree anddeploying collection means between the inner periphery of the supportand the 'end of the conveyor adjacent the fruit tree.

24 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED 053 41975 SHEET 2 OF 4 PATENTED 4I975 SHEET 3 (IF 4 PATENTED BEE 75 SHEET 1; or 4 FIG? METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE HARVESTING OF FRUIT FROM FRUIT TREESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to a method andapparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees.More particularly the invention relates to a method and apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of citrus fruit for the juice market.

In the United States the principal citrus growing regions are Floridaand California. California produces thick-skinned naval oranges whichripen during the winter and spring months and are sold primarily asfresh whole fruit. On the other hand, Florida produces sweet,thin-skinned juicy oranges which ripen in early winter and are soldprimarily to produce orange juice.

In the juice industry it is desirable to leave fresh fruit on the treesas long as possible in order to maximize the juice and sugar content ofthe fruit prior to harvesting. The longer the fruit is left on the treeto ripen, however, the more likely the fruit is to drop onto the groundand decay.

More specifically it will be appreciated that fruit from tree to treeand even fruit on a single tree does not ripen in a completely uniformmanner. In this connection some of the individual oranges may becomecompletely ripe, and the junction of the stem with the orange may becomesubstantially weakened, while the average ripening state of oranges onthe tree is just approaching ideal conditions for harvesting.

From the foregoing it will be realized that in order to minimizethepossibility of losing the most mature oranges while maximizing theaverage sugar content of the fruit, it is highly critical to quicklyharvest the fruit once a desirable average sugar content is reached.Moreover the criticality of a short harvesting time frame may be furtherappreciated when the potential of adverse weather conditions isconsidered. In this connection, a wind or rain storm may have adevastating effect on heavily laden fruit trees in terms of breakingbranches and also showering ripened fruit onto the ground.

- A still further aspect in connection with harvesting juice fruit is,as previously mentioned, the fact that normal harvesting takes place inNovember and December. A snap freeze during this period may at leastpartially freeze the ripened fruit. Notwithstanding, however, such afreeze it may still be possible to save a substantial portion of a cropif the fruit is harvested and processed quickly enough.

In sum it will be appreciated that speed of harvesting is a highcritical factor in the juice industry.

A first known technique for harvesting fruit from citrus trees was tolean a ladder against the tree, climb the tree with a sack and manuallyremove the fruit. It will readily be realized, however, that such aprocess is time consuming, extremely laborious in terms of climbing upand down a ladder while carrying a heavy sack of fruit, and alsophysically demanding in terms of manipulating the ladder about the tree.In this regard some Florida seedling trees may reach a height of 30'to35 feet. A ladder long enough to be of utility in connection with suchtrees is extremely awkward to manipulate and tends to be unstable when apicker tries to remove fruit from the uppermost branches. As aconsequence, many laborers refuse to work in orchards which are composedof or include seedling trees. Even in orchards of smaller trees thedifficulty of handling and the danger of utilizing an unstabilizedladder tends to eliminate women and youths from the working force. i i

In the past, several techniques have been at least theorized in anattempt to take the laborer out of the tree. One such device comprises amechanical shaker which is operable to grasp a tree trunk and physicallyshake the tree so that the fruit showers" onto the ground. Laborers thenpick the fruit up and throw it into a tractor pulled wagon. Such atechnique, however, increases the possibility that the laborers willunwittingly pickup decayed and rotten fruit from the ground and thus mixbad fruit with the good. Further, the mechanical device which shakes the.trees tends to damage the tree bark and disturb the root system.

A further known technique comprises blowing fluid, such as compressedgas or water, into the tree to knock fruit onto the ground. Such asystem suffers from the previous noted disadvantage of mixing rotten andusable fruit and also is potentially damaging to the limbs of the fruittree which are heavily laden with fruit.

A still further disadvanatage which is common to both of thesepreviously known mechanical devices is that some of the fruit in thetree which is not completely mature will tend to tenaciously cling tothe branches and thus remain unharvested.

In addition to the foregoing described mechanized devices variousplatform systems have been designed for use in connection with theharvesting of fruit for the whole fruit market. In this connection suchsystems have been designed to minimize bruising whole fruit duringharvesting. Such systems, however, are not sufficiently beneficial interms of time saving in harvesting fruit for the juice market, whererapid processing eliminates bruising as a major consideration, towarrant the expenditure of capital to purchase and maintain theequipment. I

Therefore, notwithstanding the long and hard felt need to facilitateharvesting juice fruit and repeated attempts to mechanize the process,the standard harvesting technique in the Florida juice industry remainsto employ laborers using individual ladders and sacks for manuallypicking fruit in a manner substantially unchanged from the time theindustry began.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Objects It is therefore a general object ,ofthe invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for facilitatingthe harvesting of fruit from fruit trees which will obviate or minimizeproblems of the type previously described.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a novel method andapparatus for facilitating the speed at which citrus fruit may beharvested for the juice industry.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method andapparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treeswhich will minimize the strength requirements necessary to harvest thefruit.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a novel methodand apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treeswhich increases the safety of the harvesting operation.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a novel methodand apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treeswherein a picker is not required to lift 'or carry a ladder, carry asack, or precariously climb an unstabilized ladder.

It is yet still a further object of the invention to provide a novelmethod and apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruittrees which enables a picker to utilize both hands for expeditiouslyremoving fruit from the tree.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel method andapparatus for facilitatng the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees whichis economical to manufacture and is easily serviceable.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a novel methodand apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treeswhich is mobile and may be readily positioned adjacent succeeding treesin a row of trees in a fruit orchard and which may be readily moved fromorchard to orchard.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a novel methodand apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from trees whichis mechanicallydeployable adjacent and beneath a tree for harvestingfruit from the tree and mechanically retractable for mobility.

BRIEF SUMMARY A method and apparatus intended to accomplish at leastsome of the foregoing objects comprises a support means operablypositionable adjacent to a fruit tree which includes a first arcuateplatform and a second arcuate platform, which when operably positionedadjacent the fruit tree forms a generally semicircular platform at leastpartially surrounding the tree. A conveyor is connected at a first end,remote from the fruit tree, to the support and is operably positionableat a secondary end thereof adjacent the base of the fruit tree at ahorizontal elevation less than the elevation of the first and secondarcuate platform. A collection means is operably extendible between thefirst and second arcuate platform means and the second end of theconveyor means for collecting, by gravity, fruit removed from the fruittree and delivering the fruit onto the second end of the conveyor forremoving and harvesting.

A method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includesthe steps of positioning a support adjacent to a fruit tree includingthe steps of positioning a first arcuate platform above a ground surfaceadjacent the fruit tree and a second arcuate platform above the groundsurface adjacent the fruit tree for operably forming a generallysemicircular platform at least partially around the periphery of thefruit tree. The method further includes the steps of extending a secondend of a conveyor, having a first end thereof connected to the support,against the base of the fruit tree generally adjacent the ground surfaceand deploying collection means between the inner periphery of the firstand second arcuate platform means and the second end of the conveyor toprovide a means to collect fruit dropped from the fruit tree and forfeeding the fruit onto the conveyor for removal and harvesting.

THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparant from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a plan schematic view of an apparatus according to a preferredembodiment of the invention,

for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees positioned ina posture encompassing a tree along a row of trees in a fruit orchard;

FIG. 2, note sheet 2, is a detailed plan view of an embodiment of thesubject invention disclosing first and second arcuate platform segmentsand a conveyor means in a retracted position on a mobile frame tofacilitate transportation;

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view similar in general character to FIG. 2and specifically discloses telescoping movement of the first arcuateplatform segment with respect to an arcuate guide;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the subject invention accord ing to a preferredembodiment wherein the first and second arcuate platform segments areextended to form in combination a generally semicircular platform andthe one end of the conveyor is swung away from the mobile frame with aplurality of guide lines extending between the free end of the conveyorand a plurality of flexible sheet rolls;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and specifically discloses the deployment ofa plurality of flexible sheets to form a semicircular collectionassembly between the inner periphery of the first and second arcuateplatforms and the free end of the conveyor means;

FIG. 6, note sheet I, is a side elevational view of the subject fruitharvesting apparatus including at least one ladder operably positionableupon the arcuate platform means;

FIG. 7 discloses a detailed plan view of a pair of complementary fruitpicking units according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,including right and left hand semicircular platforms operable toessentially encircle the outer circumference of a fruit tree;

FIG. 8 is a detailed side elevational view of a ladder base and lockingassembly in a normal posture for adjustable movement upon the platform;

FIG. 9 is a detailed side elevational view of the ladder base andlocking assembly in an actuated locked posture, operative to stablysupport a fruit picker; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the ladder base and lock assembly partiallybroken away to disclose the linkage assembly utilized to lock the basewith respect to the supporting platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Assembly Turning now to the drawingswherein like numerals designate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1thereof, there will be seen a plurality of fruit trees 10 and I2 alignedin a row on 25 foot centers. This spacing is typical in the Floridacitrus industry. In some orchards an intermediate tree 14 may bepositioned between the trees 10 and 12 in order to double the number oftrees per row and thus reduce the centers to 12.5 feet.

As shown on the right hand portion of FIG. 1, there will be seenschematic views of a right hand mobile unit 16 and a complemental lefthand mobile unit 18 which is operable to move successively along therows of trees and into substantial alignment on opposite sides of eachof the fruit trees in the row. In this connection, the right and lefthand complemental units are depicted in a posture positioned about thetrunk 20 of a fruit tree. The right hand mobile unit 16 carries aretractable assembly 22, operable to support a right hand generallysemicircular platform 24. In like manner the left hand mobile unit 18 isoperable to carry a retractable assembly 26 which is operable to supporta left hand generally semicircular platform 28.

The right hand mobile unit 16 further carries a retractable conveyor 30having a distal end 32 which is operable to be positioned against thebase of the fruit tree. At the proximal end 34 the conveyor empties intoa further conveyor assembly 38 which in turn feeds into a wagon 40 drawnby the mobile unit 16. In a similar manner the left hand mobile unit 18is provided with a conveyor 42 having a distal end 44 thereof operablypositionable against the trunk 20 of a fruit-tree. At the proximal end46 the conveyor empties into a further conveyor assembly 48. Theconveyor assembly 48 terminates above a wagon 50 which is articulated tothe mobile unit 18.

Right hand retractable fruit collecting flexible sheets 52 extendbetween the inner periphery of the platform 24 and the trunk 20 of thefruit tree. In a similar manner, left hand retractable fruit collectingflexible sheets 54 extend between the inner periphery of the platform 28and the base of the tree trunk 20. An aperture 56 is fashioned througheach of the right and left hand flexible sheets 52 and 54, above thedistal ends 32 and 34 of the conveyors and 42, respectively.

A plurality of hand ladder means 58 and 60 are operably positioned foradjustability upon the right hand platform 24. Again in a similarmanner, extendible ladder assemblies 62 and 64 are adjustably positionedupon the left hand platform 28. The ladder assemblies are operable to beinclined toward the periphery of a fruit bearing tree so that pickersmay mount the ladders and knock fruit from the tree down into the rightand left hand collecting sheets 52 and 54. The fruit will then gravitatethrough the apertures 58 into the conveyors 30 and 42 and will beautomatically delivered to the wagons 40 and 50.

As previously mentioned, the right and left hand semicircular platformassemblies, right and left hand conveyors, and right and left handflexible collecting sheets, are operably retractable away from the treetrunk 20 and toward the mobile units so that once a tree has beenstripped of its fruit, the units may be independently transportable to asucceeding tree in a row and extended in a realigned posture about theouter periphery of the tree to facilitate rapid harvesting of fruit froman orchard.

The right and left hand units are mirror images and therefore a detaileddiscussion of the right hand unit 16 as specifically illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 will be fully applicable to the left hand unit 18.

ARC UATE PLATFORM ASSEMBLIES With particular reference now to FIG. 2,there will be seen a support means 70. The support means includes afirst arcuate platform 72 and a second arcuate platform 74. Arcuateplatform 72 and 74 when extended adjacent the periphery of a fruit treeare operable to form a generally continuous semicircular platform 24 aspreviously discussed.

The support means 70 includes a generally rectangular frame 76 which isrendered mobile by being supported by longitudinally extending bed rails77, note FIG. 6, of a conventional truck 78. While a selfpropelledvehicle 78 has been specifically disclosed it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that a wagon frame, or the like, operable to bepulled by a tractor will also be suitable although a self-propelledvehicle is preferred.

The generally rectangular frame 76 includes an arcuate guide 80, noteFIG. 3, fixedly attached thereto. The guide 80 is provided with an upperplanar surface82 which serves to slidingly support the arcuateextendible and retractable platform 72. In an alternate embodiment, noteFIGS. 8-10, telescoping movement of the platform 72 with respect to theguide 80 is facilitated by the provision of a plurality of rollerassemblies 84 mounted upon the guide 80.

Also as noted from FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the guide section80 is provided with channel shaped edges 86 to increase the bendingstrength of the structure. In a similar fashion the platform 72 isprovided with channel shaped edges 88 which are compatibly dimensionedwith edges 86 to slidably surround and enhouse guide 80. Edges 88 thusserve to facilitate telescoping movement of the platform 72 with respectto the guide 80.

Actuation of the relative telescoping movement of the first arcuateplatform 72 with respect to the arcuate guide may be effected by aplurality of systems such as rack and pinion gear assemblies, hydraulicactuation assemblies, chain and sprocket assemblies and the like. It ispreferred, however, to utilize a flexible cable and dual spool winchassembly 90, note FIGS. 2 and 3.

More specifically in this connection, a first flexible cable 92 isconnected at 94 to one end 96 of the arcuate platform 72. Flexible cable92 is trained through a U-shaped guide (not shown) mounted upon theguide 80 back to a take-up and pay-out spool 98 of a dual spool electricwinch 100. A second flexible cable 102 is connected at 104 to the otherend 106 of the arcuate platform 72 and is trained through a U-shapedguide (not shown) around a guide pulley 108 mounted at the end of thearcuate guide 82 adjacent the end 96 of the arcuate platform 72. Thecable 102 is thus reversely directed to a second spool 110 of the winchHM).

When it is desired to extend the first arcuate platform 72 to a postureat least partially surrounding the pe riphery of a fruit tree, spool 110is actuated to'take up line 100 and thus pull the arcuate platform 72counterclockwise relative to the guide 80 to a posture as viewed in FIG.3. When fruit has been picked from the tree and it is desired tomechanically retract the first arcuate platform 72, the spool 98 isactuated and the flexible line 92 is wound onto the spool to telescopein a clockwise direction the first arcuate platform 72 inwardly upon theguide 80 to a position as illustrated in FIG. 2. Travel limits for thefirst arcuate platform 72 in the extended and retracted position may beprovided by mechanical stops and/or limit switches (not shown) asdesired.

Support for the end 96 of the first arcuate platform 72 may be providedwith a portable leg assembly positioned at the outermost end thereof(not shown) or alternatively may be provided with a mechanicallyextendible and retractable cantilever arm 112. The arm 112 is supportedupon a guide 114, which in turn is fixedly mounted to the front of thevehicle 78.

Actuation of the extendible guide 112 may be provided by a plurality ofsystems, but again, in a preferred embodiment a flexible line winchassembly 116 is utilized. The assembly 116 includes a winch 118 having apair of spools with a first flexible line 120 connected to one spool anda second flexible line 122 connected to the other spool. Line 120 isreaved around a guide pulley 124 and is then connected at 126 at aninboard end 128 of the extendible support 112. The second flexible line122 is extended toward and directly connected to, as at 130, theoutboard end 132 of the extendible guide 1 l 2.

By actuation of the winch and flexible line assembly 116 in a manner aspreviously discussed in connection with assembly 90, the support 112 maybe extended from a retracted posture as viewed in FIG. 2, to an extendedsupporting posture as illustrated in FIG. 3.

While the previously discussed first arcuate platform 72 istelescopingly extendible and retractable upon an arcuate guide 80, thesecond arcuate platform 74 is mounted for translatable movementgenerally laterally across the frame 76. In this connection a pluralityof transverse guide rails 140 are mounted upon the frame 76. The guiderails 140 telescopingly receive support arms 142 which in turn areconnected directly to the underframe of the second arcuate platform 74.

In order to mechanically actuate the second arcuate platform 74 from aretracted to an extended position and back again a plurality of systemsmay be utilized, as previously mentioned. However, a preferred systemincludes a pair of flexible cable and winch assemblies 150. Each winchassembly 150 is provided with a first flexible line 152 which isdirectly connectable, as at 154, to the inboard end of an adjacentsupport 142. A second flexible cable 156 is connected at one enddirectly to a lateral surface of an adjacent support 142, as at 158. Thesecond flexible cable 156 is then reaved around a guide pully 160 andwrapped around a first spool 162 of a winch 164. The first line 152 inturn is connected to a second spool 166 of the winch 164.

In order to actuate the second arcuate platform 74 from a retractedposture as depicted in FIG. 3 to an extended posture as depicted in FIG.4, the flexible line and winch assemblies 150 are operated in unison ina manner as previously discussed in connection with the telescopicextension and retraction of the first arcuate platform 72.

CONVEYOR ASSEMBLY As previously discussed, the frame 76 is fitted with aretractable and extendible conveyor 31). In this connection a proximalend of the conveyor is pivotally connected directly to the frame 76,about a vertical pivot assembly 1711 as at 172, note FIG. 4.

The conveyor 31) may be articulated, as at 174, note FIG. 6, into afirst segment 176 which is operable to extend beneath low lying branchesof a fruit tree and a more vertically inclined section 178 suitable toraise fruit high enough to be delivered onto a gravity slide 180. Fromthe slide 180 the fruit rolls into a further conveyor 38 which issuitable to transfer the fruit to a wagon 1410.

In order to pivot the conveyor 30 about the generally vertical pivotassembly 170, a further flexible wire rope winch assembly 182 isprovided which includes a winch 184 and a first and second flexible line186 and 188 respectively. The flexible line 188 is taken up by the winchin order to pivot the conveyor 30 away from the frame 76 as particularlyillustrated in FIG. 4 and the line 186 is taken up in order to pivot theconveyor 30 into a retracted posture adjacent the frame 76 fortransportation purposes.

Once the conveyor 30 has been swung outwardly to a posture against thebase of a fruit tree, it is desirable to remove the load from thevertical pivot. In this connection the lower segment 176 may be pivotedabout a generally horizontal axis as at 174, so that the distal end 32of the conveyor may rest upon a ground surface supported by a generallyU-shaped bracket 190.

This horizontal pivoting movement is provided by a winch assembly 192which includes a winch 194 and a single wire line 196. In thisconnection, downward pivotal movement of the distal end 32 is achievedby gravity. However, when it is desired to raise the distal end of theconveyor to swing the conveyor 30 against the mobile frame fortransportation the winch 194 is actuated which takes up line 196 andraises the conveyor.

The actual detailed construction of the segments 176 and 178 of theconveyor assembly 30 are entirely conventional and do not per se form apart of the invention. It will be noted, however, that the conveyor 30is of the endless belt multiple flight type which is driven by anelectric motor through a reducing gear (not shown).

COLLECTION ASSEMBLY Once the first and second arcuate platforms 72 and74 are extended to a posture to at least partially surround the outerperiphery of a fruit bearing tree and the conveyor 39 is positionedbeneath the tree with a distal end thereof adjacent the trunk of thetree, note FIG. 4, it is next desirable to deploy a collecting assembly52 beneath the tree.

The collecting assembly may assume many forms but in a preferredembodiment comprises a plurality of flexible sheets 200 operable to beextended from a stored position, note FIG. 4, to a deployed posture,note FIG. 5, with an aperture 56 above the diatal end 32 of the conveyor30. Therefore, fruit dropped within the inner periphery of thesemicircular platform will tend to roll by gravity upon the flexiblesheets 200, which form a generally inverted cone, note FIG. 6, to theapex of the cone and onto the conveyor 30 for removal to a wagon 40.

As previously mentioned the specific structural arrangement and mode ofstoring and deployment of the flexible sheets may comprise a pluralityof specific designs and forms, however, at least one design operable inaccordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of springloaded roller assemblies 204 which are mounted upon the underframe ofthe inner periphery of the first and second arcuate platform segments 72and 74. A flexible line 206 extends from each of the frames 204 and isdirectly connected to the apex of a triangular shaped flexible sheet200. Deployment of the individual sheets 2%) is achieved by a take-upwinch 208 which may be mounted at the distal end of the conveyor 30. Inorder to retract the sheets the lines 2116 are payed out and the springloaded roller assemblies 204 roll the sheets up into a stowed posture.

The composition of the flexible sheets 200 may range from a pliablecotton fabric or synthetic fiber to a thin metallic sheet. A commondenominator, however, for the various materials which are suitable foruse in connection with the sheets 2411 is that they possess sufficientflexibility to be compactly stowed in combination with sufficientstrength to support fruit dropped from a tree during a harvestingoperation.

FINAL ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY In order to provide a degree of adjustabilityto permit the operator of the mobile vehicle 78' a range of permissibleerror in exact alignment with respect to the fruit trees, the generallyrectangular frame 76 which carries guide rails 140 is in turn carried byan underlying support 220 having transversely extending guide surfaces222 which are compatibly mated with channel runners 224 fashioned withinthe underframe of the support 76.

Translation of the frame 76 with respect to the support 220 is againprovided by a plurality of flexible wire and winch assemblies 226. Eachof the assemblies 226 includes an electrically actuable winch 228 havingdual spools and a first flexible line 230 which is connected to an outeredge of the frame 76 as at 232. A second flexible line 234 is reavedaround a guide pulley 236 and then connected to an underlying surface ofthe frame 76 as at 238.

Therefore, and as previously discussed, appropriate actuation of theflexible line and winch assemblies 226 which are electric powered willserve to translate the frame 76 with respect to the underlying frame 220inwardly and outwardly with respect to the truck 78,

ADJUSTABLE LADDER ASSEMBLY Referring now specifically to FIGS. 6, 8, 9and 10, there will be seen a ladder assembly 60 operable to facilitatethe removal of fruit from fruit trees by laborers. In this connectionthe ladder may be extensible and thus operable to reach high into thetallest seedling trees to permit a picker to remove the fruit. Theladder is stabilized by a bne assembly 240 which is designed for lateraladjustability and locking in a manner to be discussed in detail.

' In this connection the base assemblies 240 are comprised of agenerally rectangular platform 242 which is adapted to ride upon rollerassemblies 244 which in turn rest upon the upper surface of the arcuateplatforms 72 and 74. In order to maintain the base 242 in alignment uponthe arcuate platforms, raised rails 246 may be welded to the platformsurface to guide the wheel assemblies 244. Stability is further providedby U-frame assemblies 248 which enclose the outer peripheral edges ofthe base 242 and the arcuate platforms 72 and 74.

As shown in FIG. 8, lower arms 250 of the U-frame assemblies 248 arenormally maintained in a disengaged posture with respect to the undersurface of the arcuate platforms by the provision of biasing assemblies252. In this posture an operator may effortlessly translate the ladderand base assembly about the periphery of the platform to a location atthe fruit tree suitable for picking the fruit.

Once a desired location is reached, the ladder 60 is merely pivotedforward, note arrow A in Fig. 9, about a base pivot bracket 254. Alinkage assembly 256 is provided having a first arm 258 adjustablyconnectable to the rails of the adjustable ladder in a plurality oflocations by conventional threaded fasteners or the like. Through thelever assembly 256 pivoting movement of the ladder in the direction ofarrow A will effectuate upward movement of the channel frames 248 untilthe lowermost legs thereof'250 abuttingly engage against the lowersurface of the platforms. In this posture the ladder base assembly 240is locked into a completely stationary posture with respect to theplatform. Various POWER ASSEMBLY- As previously discussed, a pluralityof electric winches have been utilized in connection with the sub- 'jectsystem to. provide motive force for the various movable assemblies. Theelectricity for each of these previouslydescribed winches may begenerated by an internal combustion engine generator unit 210 which maybe carried by the frame 76.

Further since the subject invention essentially takes the laborious workout of fruit picking a two shift around the clock operation is feasible.In this connection the generator 210 is also suitable to supply power toone or more light assemblies 260, note FIG. 7, which may be utilized fornight operation.

PROCESS The foregoing described apparatus may be advantageously utilizedto harvest fruit from fruit trees in a manner substantially as follows.Right hand and left hand units 16 and 18 are generally aligned adjacentto the outer periphery of a fruit tree, note particularly FIGS. 1 and 7.The first arcuate platform members 72 are telescoped about the outerperiphery of the tree and the second arcuate platform member 74 aretranslated into adjacency with the first arcuate platform members 72 toform in combination generally semicircular structures extendingperipherally about the tree. At *the outer. ends of the abuttingplatforms hinge amount flaps 262 are provided to facilitate movementcompletely around the fruit tree.

The conveyors 30 and 42 are then pivoted about generally vertical axesaway. from the mobile frames and into adjacency with the trunk 20of afruit tree. The lower sections 176 of the conveyors are then pivotedabout generally horizontal axes to lower the sections upon a groundsurface adjacent the base of the tree.

The next step comprises extending a collection means comprising aplurality of flexible sheets beneath the boughs of the fruit treesanddown to the distal ends of the conveyors. As previously discussed, theflexible sheets are provided with apertures so that fruit depositedthereupon will fall by gravity into the conveyors 30 and 42 forconveyance away from the tree and into wagons 40 and 50.

Fruit pickers then adjust the ladderassemblies 58, 60, 62 and 64 intoappropriate positions for facilitating harvesting. In this connectiononce the ladders are adjustably positioned upon the platform, they areinclined toward the tree and the base of the ladder is stably lockedwith respect to the platform.

The pickers then ascend the ladders and by booking one leg through therungs of the ladder may use both hands to pull or twist fruit from thetree. Immediately upon removal of the fruit it is dropped through thetree branches and onto the collecting cone for automatic delivery to thewagons as previously discussed. Moreover, since the pickers have bothhands essentially free a technique known as stripping may be utilizedwherein a branch is held with one hand and the fruit is stripped 'offthe limb with the other hand. The speed at which a picker may removefruit in this manner is goverend by the individual dexterity of thepicker, but it will readily be realized that by utilizing both hands andmerely perilil mitting the fruit to drop from its hanging posture upon atree limb, rather than holding onto a tree limb with one hand forstability, severing fruit with the other hand and dropping the fruitinto a sack, comprises a truly significant advantage in terms of speedand ease of removing fruit from the tree.

As previously discussed, while it is realized that dropping of the fruitthrough the branches and onto the collecting surface may occasion somedegree of bruising, this is a minimal consideration with juice fruit inthat the fruit is processed almost immediately upon picking.

Once a tree has been cleaned of its fruit, the operators may descend theladders and walk onto the frame 76. The flexible sheet may then beretracted on the spring loaded rollers and the conveyors may bemechanically raised and pivoted adjacent the mobile frame fortransportation. The next step comprises mechanically translating thearcuate platform 74 above the truck body and then telescoping the firstarcuate platform 72 with respect to the arcuate guide. The mobile units16 and 18 may then move to a succeeding tree where the foregoing stepsmay be repeated. When the wagons 40 and 50 are filled they may bedetached from the mobile units and pulled to a central collectionlocation in the orchard and empty wagons attached to the mobile unitsfor sustained operation.

SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION It will be appreciatedfrom the foregoing that the subject method and apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees constitutes amaterial advance in the art of picking fruit for the juice market interms of the most critical parameter of speed at which the fruit may beremoved from the trees.

Further, the subject method and apparatus for harvesting fruit fromfruit trees provides a system which does not damage the trees duringharvesting, eliminates the possibility of collecting rotten fruit andinsures the harvesting of all of the fruit in the tree.

Another significant advantage of the subject method and apparatus is thefact that the laborious character of handling an individual ladder uponthe ground has been removed so that women may now be added to thepicking labor force. In a similar vein the subject ladder assembly isentirely stable and safe so that pickers who were previously afraid toscale ladders in order to remove fruit from tall seedling trees shouldhave no such reservation with respect to use of the subject invention.

Since the fruit may be dropped where it is picked and automaticallycollected and transported away from the tree, both of the pickers handsare free to remove the fruit and the heavy weighty sacks previouslycarried are no longer necessary.

In view of the fact that the subject assembly takes much of the tiringlabor out of the picking operation, two shifts may work around the clockso that fruit may be readily removed from the trees. In this connection,

since the units are provided with electric generating equipment,lighting systems may be mounted upon the mobile units so that nightpicking becomes a practical reality.

A further significant advantage of the subject invention is theprovision for a method and apparatus for retracting and extendingplatform, collecting and conveyor assemblies adjacent to and beneath thefruit bearing trees. The automated character of this extension andretraction permits the pickers to rest momentarily while the units arebeing repositioned and without expending their time and energy inpositioning bulky and heavy equipment. Further, the units can beconveniently transported between dense groves in the retracted positionand further can be made to meet highway transportation requirements.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatadditions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes notspecifically described may be made which will fall within the purview ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treescomprising:

support means operably positionable adjacent to a fruit tree forfacilitating the removal and harvesting of fruit from the tree, saidsupport means including a first arcuate platform means operablypositionable adjacent the fruit tree, and

a second arcuate platform means, operably positionable adjacent thefruit tree,

said first and second arcuate platform means forming, when operablypositioned adjacent the fruit tree, a generally semicircular platformpartially surrounding the fruit tree;

conveyor means connected, at a first end thereof remote from the fruittree, to said support means and operably positionable at a second endthereof adjacent the base of the fruit tree at a horizontal elevationless than said first and second arcuate platform means for conveyingfruit away from the fruit tree; and

collection means, connected to and operably extendible between saidfirst and second arcuate platform means and said second end of saidconveyor means positionable at the base of the tree, for collecting bygravity fruits removed from the fruit tree at said second end of saidconveyor means adjacent the base of the fruit tree, said collectionmeans being fashioned with an aperture in a portion thereof above saidsecond end of said conveyor whereby fruit removed from the fruit treewill be trans ported by gravity over said collection means and into saidconveyor means for delivery away from said fruit tree for harvesting.

2. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises:

a generally rectangular mobile frame an arcuate guide connected alongone side of said frame for telescopingly supporting said first arcuateplatform means; and

transverse rail guide means connected transversely across the long sidesof said rectangular frame for translatably supporting said secondarcuate platform means.

3. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 2 and further comprising means connected to saidfirst arcuate platform for telescoping said first arcuate platformoutwardly with respect to said arcuate guide and said mobile frame to aposture adjacent the periphery of a fruit tree to facilitate removal offruit from the tree and for telescoping said first arcuate platforminwardly with respect to said arcuate guide and said mobile frame tofacilitate transportation of said mobile frame.

4. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 2 and further. comprising means connected to saidsecond arcuate platform for translating said second arcuate platformoutwardly with respect to the long sides of said generally. rectangularmobile frame to a posture adjacent the periphery of a fruit tree tofacilitate removal of fruit from the tree and for translating saidsecond arcuate platform inwardly with respect to the long sides of saidgenerally rectangular mobile frame to facilitate transportationof saidmobile frame.

5. Apparatus-for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 2 and further comprising:

means connected between said mobile frame means and said arcuate andsaid transverse rail guide means for translatably supporting saidarcuate and said transverse rail guide means with respect to said mobileframe, and

means, connected to said means for supporting said arcuate and saidtransverse rail guide means, for translating said arcuate and saidtransverse rail guide means outwardly with respect to said mobile frameand inwardly with respect to said mobile frame.

6. Apparatus for faciltating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 2 and further comprising: 7

support means connected to said generally rectangular mobile frame fortranslating outwardly with respect to said frame to a supportingposition beneath said first arcuate platform when said first arcuateplatform is telescoped to a posture adjacent the periphery of a fruittree.

7. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from trees asdefined in claim 1 wherein:

said conveyor means is pivotally connected at said first end to saidsupport means for swinging movement about an axis generallyperpendicular to a ground surface; and

means connected to said conveyor means for swinging said conveyor meansoutwardly with respect to said support means to position said second endof said conveyor adjacent the base of a fruit bearing tree and forswinging said conveyor means inwardly with respect to said support meansto a position to facilitate transportation of said apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit.

8. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 7 and further comat least one base ,means carried byeach of said first and second arcuate platform means for adjustableslidingmovement upon said arcuate platforms;

ladder means mounted upon each of said base means for facilitatingaccessto fruit on the fruit tree; and

lock means connected to each of said base means for locking said basemeans against sliding and tilting movement upon said arcuate platformmeans when a fruit picker is positioned upon said ladder means. 10.Apparatusfor facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 9 wherein each of said lock means comprises: I

first and second arcuate, generally U-shaped, channel means each havinga first leg overlaying a top surface of said base means and a second legoverlaying a bottom surface of said arcuate platform, said first channelmeans extending along a segment of the inner periphery of said arcuateplatform and said second channel means extending along a segment of theouter periphery of said arcuate platform; meansfor normally biasing saidsecond legs away from contact with the bottom surface of said arcuateplatform for permitting sliding adjustment of said base means upon saidarcuate platform; and lever means connected between said ladder meansand said first and second arcuate channel means for overcoming saidmeans for biasing when a picker ascends said ladder means to lock saidsecond legs against the bottom surface of said arcuate platform. 7 11.Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesasdefined in claim 1 wherein said collection means comprises:

a plurality of flexible sheets operably extendible between the innerperiphery of said first and second arcuate platform means down to saidsecond end of said conveyor means operably positionable adjacent thebase of a fruit tree whereby a generally inverse half cone is deployedbeneath the fruit tree so that fruit dropped from the tree may becollected by gravity at the inverse apex of the cone and funnel ontosaid conveyor means for removal.

12. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treescomprising:

first semicircular platform means operably positionable above the groundsurface adjacent the periphery of a fruit tree;

second semicircular platform means connected to said first semicircularplatform meansand operably positionable above the ground surfaceadjacent the periphery of a fruit tree, said first and secondsemicircular platform means being operable to essentially surround theperiphery of the fruit tree; said first semicircular platform means andsaid second semicircular platform means including means for supportingat least one fruit picker above the ground surface;

conveyor means having a first end operably positionable outwardly fromthe periphery of said first and second semicircular platform means and asecond end operably positionable beneath said platform means to the baseof the fruit tree; and

collection means extending from between the inner periphery of saidfirst and second semicircular platform means and the second end of saidconveyor means at the base of the fruit tree, said collection meansbeing provided with an aperture above said second end of said conveyormeans whereby fruit dropped into said collection means will be collectedand directed onto the second end of said conveyor means for deliveringaway from said fruit tree and harvesting.

13. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 12 and further comprising mobile support meansconnected to each of said first and second semicircular platform meansfor transporting said platform means.

14. Apparatus for facilitating harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 13 wherein said collection means comprises:

a plurality of flexible sheets extendible from the inner periphery ofsaid first and second arcuate platform means down to said conveyor meansto form a generally inverted cone beneath the fruit tree to collectfruit dropped into the cone and deposit the fruit onto the second end ofsaid conveyor means for removal.

15. An apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit fromsuccessive fruit trees arranged in spaced relation in a row comprising:

complemental right and left hand mobile units movable successively intosubstantial alignment on opposite sides of each fruit tree in the row,

the right hand mobile unit carrying retractable means for forming aright hand generally semicircular platform and the left hand mobile unitcarrying retractable means for forming a left hand generallysemicircular platform,

means on the right and left hand mobile units to extend and retract therespective semicircular platform forming means toward and away from aselected fruit tree with said semicircular platform forming meansconjointly dimensionedto provide when extended a substantiallycontinuous generally circular platform to substantially encircle theouter circumference of the fruit bearing portion of a fruit tree,

right and left hand retractable conveyor means connected to said rightand left hand mobile units respectively and extendible at one endtherefrom outwardly to the base of the fruit tree;

right and left hand retractable fruit collecting flexible sheetsrespectively carried by said right and left hand semicircular platformsand extendible therefrom downwardly and inwardly toward the trunk of thetree, an aperture fashioned within each of said right and left handretractable fruit collecting flexible sheets for permitting fruitcollected upon said flexible sheets to drop onto said right and lefthand retractable conveyor means;

means for extending and retracting said fruit collecting flexible sheetsto and from an extended cooperative relationship in which said sheetsreceive fruit dropped from any point within the circumference of thefruit bearing portion of the tree;

said right and left hand semicircular platform forming means and saidright and left hand collecting sheets and said right and left handconveyor means when in retracted position on the respective right andleft hand mobile units being independently transportable to a positionin substantial alignment on opposite sides of a succeeding tree in therow.

16. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treescomprising the steps of:

positioning a support means adjacent to a fruit tree,

including the steps of,

positioning a first arcuate platform means above the ground surfaceadjacent the fruit tree, and

positioning a second arcuate platform means above the ground surfaceadjacent the fruit tree,

said steps of positioning said first and second arcuate platform meansbeing operable to form a generally semicircular platform partiallysurrounding the fruit tree;

with a first end of a conveyor means connected to the support meansextending a second end of the conveyor means to the base of the fruittree generally adjacent the ground surface;

deploying collection means between the inner periphery of the first andsecond arcuate platform means and the second end of the conveyor meanssaid collection means having an aperture therein above the second end ofthe conveyor means to provide a means to collect fruit dropped from thefruit tree for feeding onto the conveyor means for harvesting.

17. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 16 wherein said steps of positioning the arcuateplatform means com prises:

telescoping the first arcuate platform means upon arcuate guide meansfrom a position adjacent the support means to a position adjacent theperiphery of the fruit tree; and

translating the second arcuate platform means upon transverse rail guidemeans from a position adjacent the support means to a position adjacentthe periphery of the fruit tree.

18. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 17 and further comprising the steps of:

translating said arcuate and said transverse rail guide means outwardlywith respect to said support means and inwardly with respect to saidsupport means for adjusting the position of the first and second arcuateplatform means with respect to the periphery of the fruit tree.

19. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 16 wherein said step of extending comprises:

swinging the conveyor means about a generally verti cal axis at thefirst end of the conveyor to extend the second end of the conveyoragainst the base of the fruit tree 20. A method for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 19 and furthercomprising, following said step of swinging, the step of:

lowering the second end of the conveyor means onto the ground surface atthe base of the fruit tree.

21. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 16 wherein said step of deploying comprises:

extending flexible sheet segment between the inner periphery of thearcuate platform means above the ground surface and the second end ofthe conveyor means generally at the ground surface to form a generallydownwardly directed half cone between the arcuate platform means and thesecond end of the conveyor adjacent the base of the fruit tree.

, 17 1s 22. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit fruit treein the row. from fruit trees arranged in spaced relation in a row 23. Amethod for facilitating the harvesting of fruit comprising the steps of:from fruit trees as defined in claim 22 wherein said step p t icomplemental right left hand mobile of extending said right and lefthand semicircular platumts into substantial opposing alignment on oppo-5 f comprises f each l tf Site s ides of a fruit tree; telescoping afirst arcuate platform away from said extending from said mobile unitsretractable right mobile unit; and

and le,ft hand ,generdly Semlcfcular Platforms to translating a secondarcuate platform away from said essentially enclrcle the outercucumference of the mobile unit, said first and second arcuate platformsfruit tree;

extending right and left hand conveyor means from said mobile units tothe base of the fruit tree;

extending complemental semicircular right and left hand fruit receivingflexible sheets downwardly and inwardly to said respective right andleft hand con- 1 veyor means to catch fruit dropped on the complementalflexible sheets from any point within the outer circumference of thefruit trees; and

when fully extended operably forming a generally continuous semicircularplatform at the outer circumference of the fruit tree.

24. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treesas defined in claim 22 wherein said step of extending right and lefthand conveyor means comprises for each conveyor:

swinging the conveyor means away from a mobile LII when the fruit fromthe selected tree has been harunit to Posture wherein one end thereof isp vested, retracting the complemental fruit receiving 'l at the base ofthe fruit tree; and flexible Sheets, the right and left hand conveyorlowering the one end of the conveyor ad acent the means, and the rightand left hand mi i l r base of the fruit tree onto the ground surface atthe platforms back onto the respective right and left base of the tree.hand mobile units for transporting to a succeeding

1. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit treescomprising: support means operably positionable adjacent to a fruit treefor facilitating the removal and harvesting of fruit from the tree, saidsupport means including a first arcuate platform means operablypositionable adjacent the fruit tree, and a second arcuate platformmeans, operably positionable adjacent the fruit tree, said first andsecond arcuate platform means forming, when operably positioned adjacentthe fruit tree, a generally semicircular pLatform partially surroundingthe fruit tree; conveyor means connected, at a first end thereof remotefrom the fruit tree, to said support means and operably positionable ata second end thereof adjacent the base of the fruit tree at a horizontalelevation less than said first and second arcuate platform means forconveying fruit away from the fruit tree; and collection means,connected to and operably extendible between said first and secondarcuate platform means and said second end of said conveyor meanspositionable at the base of the tree, for collecting by gravity fruitsremoved from the fruit tree at said second end of said conveyor meansadjacent the base of the fruit tree, said collection means beingfashioned with an aperture in a portion thereof above said second end ofsaid conveyor whereby fruit removed from the fruit tree will betransported by gravity over said collection means and into said conveyormeans for delivery away from said fruit tree for harvesting. 2.Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises: a generallyrectangular mobile frame an arcuate guide connected along one side ofsaid frame for telescopingly supporting said first arcuate platformmeans; and transverse rail guide means connected transversely across thelong sides of said rectangular frame for translatably supporting saidsecond arcuate platform means.
 3. Apparatus for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 2 and furthercomprising means connected to said first arcuate platform fortelescoping said first arcuate platform outwardly with respect to saidarcuate guide and said mobile frame to a posture adjacent the peripheryof a fruit tree to facilitate removal of fruit from the tree and fortelescoping said first arcuate platform inwardly with respect to saidarcuate guide and said mobile frame to facilitate transportation of saidmobile frame.
 4. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit fromfruit trees as defined in claim 2 and further comprising means connectedto said second arcuate platform for translating said second arcuateplatform outwardly with respect to the long sides of said generallyrectangular mobile frame to a posture adjacent the periphery of a fruittree to facilitate removal of fruit from the tree and for translatingsaid second arcuate platform inwardly with respect to the long sides ofsaid generally rectangular mobile frame to facilitate transportation ofsaid mobile frame.
 5. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruitfrom fruit trees as defined in claim 2 and further comprising: meansconnected between said mobile frame means and said arcuate and saidtransverse rail guide means for translatably supporting said arcuate andsaid transverse rail guide means with respect to said mobile frame, andmeans, connected to said means for supporting said arcuate and saidtransverse rail guide means, for translating said arcuate and saidtransverse rail guide means outwardly with respect to said mobile frameand inwardly with respect to said mobile frame.
 6. Apparatus forfaciltating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim2 and further comprising: support means connected to said generallyrectangular mobile frame for translating outwardly with respect to saidframe to a supporting position beneath said first arcuate platform whensaid first arcuate platform is telescoped to a posture adjacent theperiphery of a fruit tree.
 7. Apparatus for facilitating the harvestingof fruit from trees as defined in claim 1 wherein: said conveyor meansis pivotally connected at said first end to said support means forswinging movement about an axis generally perpendicular to a groundsurface; and means connected to said conveyor means for swinging saidconveyor means outwardly with respect to said support means to positionsaid second end of said conveyor adjAcent the base of a fruit bearingtree and for swinging said conveyor means inwardly with respect to saidsupport means to a position to facilitate transportation of saidapparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit.
 8. Apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined inclaim 7 and further comprising: means connected to said conveyor meansfor raising and lowering said second end of said conveyor means at aposition adjacent the base of fruit tree whereby said second end of saidconveyor means may be swung out to the base of a fruit tree by saidmeans for swinging and lowering onto a ground surface adjacent the baseof the tree by said means for raising and lowering.
 9. Apparatus forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined inclaim 1 and further comprising: at least one base means carried by eachof said first and second arcuate platform means for adjustable slidingmovement upon said arcuate platforms; ladder means mounted upon each ofsaid base means for facilitating access to fruit on the fruit tree; andlock means connected to each of said base means for locking said basemeans against sliding and tilting movement upon said arcuate platformmeans when a fruit picker is positioned upon said ladder means. 10.Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 9 wherein each of said lock means comprises: first andsecond arcuate, generally U-shaped, channel means each having a firstleg overlaying a top surface of said base means and a second legoverlaying a bottom surface of said arcuate platform, said first channelmeans extending along a segment of the inner periphery of said arcuateplatform and said second channel means extending along a segment of theouter periphery of said arcuate platform; means for normally biasingsaid second legs away from contact with the bottom surface of saidarcuate platform for permitting sliding adjustment of said base meansupon said arcuate platform; and lever means connected between saidladder means and said first and second arcuate channel means forovercoming said means for biasing when a picker ascends said laddermeans to lock said second legs against the bottom surface of saidarcuate platform.
 11. Apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of fruitfrom fruit trees as defined in claim 1 wherein said collection meanscomprises: a plurality of flexible sheets operably extendible betweenthe inner periphery of said first and second arcuate platform means downto said second end of said conveyor means operably positionable adjacentthe base of a fruit tree whereby a generally inverse half cone isdeployed beneath the fruit tree so that fruit dropped from the tree maybe collected by gravity at the inverse apex of the cone and funnel ontosaid conveyor means for removal.
 12. Apparatus for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees comprising: first semicircularplatform means operably positionable above the ground surface adjacentthe periphery of a fruit tree; second semicircular platform meansconnected to said first semicircular platform means and operablypositionable above the ground surface adjacent the periphery of a fruittree, said first and second semicircular platform means being operableto essentially surround the periphery of the fruit tree; said firstsemicircular platform means and said second semicircular platform meansincluding means for supporting at least one fruit picker above theground surface; conveyor means having a first end operably positionableoutwardly from the periphery of said first and second semicircularplatform means and a second end operably positionable beneath saidplatform means to the base of the fruit tree; and collection meansextending from between the inner periphery of said first and secondsemicircular platform means and the second end of said conveyor means atthe base of the fruit tree, said colleCtion means being provided with anaperture above said second end of said conveyor means whereby fruitdropped into said collection means will be collected and directed ontothe second end of said conveyor means for delivering away from saidfruit tree and harvesting.
 13. Apparatus for facilitating the harvestingof fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 12 and further comprisingmobile support means connected to each of said first and secondsemicircular platform means for transporting said platform means. 14.Apparatus for facilitating harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 13 wherein said collection means comprises: a pluralityof flexible sheets extendible from the inner periphery of said first andsecond arcuate platform means down to said conveyor means to form agenerally inverted cone beneath the fruit tree to collect fruit droppedinto the cone and deposit the fruit onto the second end of said conveyormeans for removal.
 15. An apparatus for facilitating the harvesting offruit from successive fruit trees arranged in spaced relation in a rowcomprising: complemental right and left hand mobile units movablesuccessively into substantial alignment on opposite sides of each fruittree in the row, the right hand mobile unit carrying retractable meansfor forming a right hand generally semicircular platform and the lefthand mobile unit carrying retractable means for forming a left handgenerally semicircular platform, means on the right and left hand mobileunits to extend and retract the respective semicircular platform formingmeans toward and away from a selected fruit tree with said semicircularplatform forming means conjointly dimensioned to provide when extended asubstantially continuous generally circular platform to substantiallyencircle the outer circumference of the fruit bearing portion of a fruittree, right and left hand retractable conveyor means connected to saidright and left hand mobile units respectively and extendible at one endtherefrom outwardly to the base of the fruit tree; right and left handretractable fruit collecting flexible sheets respectively carried bysaid right and left hand semicircular platforms and extendible therefromdownwardly and inwardly toward the trunk of the tree, an aperturefashioned within each of said right and left hand retractable fruitcollecting flexible sheets for permitting fruit collected upon saidflexible sheets to drop onto said right and left hand retractableconveyor means; means for extending and retracting said fruit collectingflexible sheets to and from an extended cooperative relationship inwhich said sheets receive fruit dropped from any point within thecircumference of the fruit bearing portion of the tree; said right andleft hand semicircular platform forming means and said right and lefthand collecting sheets and said right and left hand conveyor means whenin retracted position on the respective right and left hand mobile unitsbeing independently transportable to a position in substantial alignmenton opposite sides of a succeeding tree in the row.
 16. A method forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees comprising thesteps of: positioning a support means adjacent to a fruit tree,including the steps of, positioning a first arcuate platform means abovethe ground surface adjacent the fruit tree, and positioning a secondarcuate platform means above the ground surface adjacent the fruit tree,said steps of positioning said first and second arcuate platform meansbeing operable to form a generally semicircular platform partiallysurrounding the fruit tree; with a first end of a conveyor meansconnected to the support means extending a second end of the conveyormeans to the base of the fruit tree generally adjacent the groundsurface; deploying collection means between the inner periphery of thefirst and second arcuate platform means and the second end of theconVeyor means said collection means having an aperture therein abovethe second end of the conveyor means to provide a means to collect fruitdropped from the fruit tree for feeding onto the conveyor means forharvesting.
 17. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruit fromfruit trees as defined in claim 16 wherein said steps of positioning thearcuate platform means comprises: telescoping the first arcuate platformmeans upon arcuate guide means from a position adjacent the supportmeans to a position adjacent the periphery of the fruit tree; andtranslating the second arcuate platform means upon transverse rail guidemeans from a position adjacent the support means to a position adjacentthe periphery of the fruit tree.
 18. A method for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 17 and furthercomprising the steps of: translating said arcuate and said transverserail guide means outwardly with respect to said support means andinwardly with respect to said support means for adjusting the positionof the first and second arcuate platform means with respect to theperiphery of the fruit tree.
 19. A method for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 16 wherein saidstep of extending comprises: swinging the conveyor means about agenerally vertical axis at the first end of the conveyor to extend thesecond end of the conveyor against the base of the fruit tree.
 20. Amethod for facilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees asdefined in claim 19 and further comprising, following said step ofswinging, the step of: lowering the second end of the conveyor meansonto the ground surface at the base of the fruit tree.
 21. A method forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined inclaim 16 wherein said step of deploying comprises: extending flexiblesheet segment between the inner periphery of the arcuate platform meansabove the ground surface and the second end of the conveyor meansgenerally at the ground surface to form a generally downwardly directedhalf cone between the arcuate platform means and the second end of theconveyor adjacent the base of the fruit tree.
 22. A method forfacilitating the harvesting of fruit from fruit trees arranged in spacedrelation in a row comprising the steps of: positioning complementalright and left hand mobile units into substantial opposing alignment onopposite sides of a fruit tree; extending from said mobile unitsretractable right and left hand generally semicircular platforms toessentially encircle the outer circumference of the fruit tree;extending right and left hand conveyor means from said mobile units tothe base of the fruit tree; extending complemental semicircular rightand left hand fruit receiving flexible sheets downwardly and inwardly tosaid respective right and left hand conveyor means to catch fruitdropped on the complemental flexible sheets from any point within theouter circumference of the fruit trees; and when the fruit from theselected tree has been harvested, retracting the complemental fruitreceiving flexible sheets, the right and left hand conveyor means, andthe right and left hand semicircular platforms back onto the respectiveright and left hand mobile units for transporting to a succeeding fruittree in the row.
 23. A method for facilitating the harvesting of fruitfrom fruit trees as defined in claim 22 wherein said step of extendingsaid right and left hand semicircular platforms comprises for eachplatform: telescoping a first arcuate platform away from said mobileunit; and translating a second arcuate platform away from said mobileunit, said first and second arcuate platforms when fully extendedoperably forming a generally continuous semicircular platform at theouter circumference of the fruit tree.
 24. A method for facilitating theharvesting of fruit from fruit trees as defined in claim 22 wherein saidstep of extending right and left hand conveyor means comprises for eachconveyor: swinging the conveyor means away from a mobile unit to aposture wherein one end thereof is positioned at the base of the fruittree; and lowering the one end of the conveyor adjacent the base of thefruit tree onto the ground surface at the base of the tree.